Gil Kuno Solo Exhibition, ON::OFF::ON

Dates｜　　　　　　　　February 19 (Sat) to May 26 (Sat), 2022 11am – 7pm

Extension Period｜　　　April 2 (Sat) to 13 (Wed), 2022 11 am – 7pm
＊Closed Sundays and Mondays (Open on Public Holidays: Feb 23 and May 21)
Venue｜　　　　　　　　√K Contemporary
Admittance｜　　　　　   Free
Exhibiting Works｜ 　　　Approx. 40
Organizer｜　　　　　　√K Contemporary
Equipment Cooperation｜BenQ Japan Co., Ltd.

                                                　  Synthax Japan Inc.
                                                  　MI Seven Japan, Inc.
                                                  　GENELEC JAPAN Inc.
                                                  　AlphaTheta Corporation

【Exhibition Period Extended】

Due to popular demand, ON::OFF::ON will be extended from April 2 (Sat) to 13 (Wed). In addition to a partial changeover, new works made during the exhibition period are planned to go on display.

【Virtual Display】
Featuring images of works, installation views, and work commentary, the virtual display allows anyone, anywhere to access a part of Kuno’s show.

Artsy：https://www.artsy.net/show/k-contemporary-1-gil-kuno-on-off-on
Ocula：https://ocula.com/art-galleries/k-contemporary/exhibitions/onoffon/

※Depending on the state of COVID-19, business days and hours are subject to change. Please check updates on the √K Contemporary website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter periodically for updates.

The largest and most ambitious display of Gil Kuno’s work to date, ON::OFF::ON offers the most extensive exhibition of not only the artist’s works but also his creative processes.

On the Exhibition

Like the very chaos his works are centered on, Kuno’s works are constantly undergoing evolution. From afar, Kuno’s works may appear disjointed. However, up close, each piece carries a discernable sense of order within its disorder. Dynamic yet static, symmetric yet asymmetric, Kuno’s works playfully alternates between diametric states to reveal an underlying order and pattern that lies beneath a sea of chaos.

Although these works stem from chaos, there is a powerful sense of comfort in the ways they digitize the patterns and movements of natural phenomena, such as waterfalls, waves, rain, and wind. Continually subverting our perceptions of reality, OFF::ON::OFF offers a comprehensive display of Kuno’s early to recent endeavors.

In addition to his completed works, the artist will exhibit and produce various experimental works in Gil Lab, located in the B1F of the gallery. Giving visitors a chance to experience a part of the artist’s process, works such as Pogophonic will be in production at the venue throughout the show. 

Numerous collaborative live events, gallery talks, and artist workshops featuring guest speakers, artists, and prominent figures will also be held during the exhibition.

Artist Statement

I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.

―　John Cage (music composer, artist, music theorist）

Due to social conditioning, our minds are guided to think within certain patterns. I try to redirect the flow of the mind beyond the set patterns we are taught by society to construct.

In my work, I seek to displace natural activity from its context, revealing an otherwise hidden layer of metaphorical absurdity within the ordinary patterns that remain before our eyes.

———————————–

On ON::OFF::ON

Sight and sound can be replicated by waves. Sight is comprised of light waves, while sound is formed by vibrations in the air.

ON::OFF::ON signifies the smallest increment of a wave. Through repetition, this cadence transforms into an infinite expressive loop.

Gil Kuno

【Gil Lab】

Gil Lab features interactive works such as Pogophonic and other works that will be under production during the exhibition period. Videos of past installations, such as the Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Award-winning performance Six String Sonics, The, will be on view.

Events

Various events showcasing a wide range of Kuno’s artistry and talents will be held in conjunction with the exhibition.

From music to video, performance, and two-dimensional art, each event will feature a special guest and approach a different theme. Starting from Unsound Experiments, Kuno will test the boundaries of sound art, discuss various epistemological questions at his gallery talks, and explore new ideas at his workshops.

【Unsound Experiments】

In many ways, noise music acts as the catalyst to Kuno’s production. Kuno’s Unsound Experiments seeks to test the limits of sound art and discover new sounds through various collaborative performances.

For those who cannot attend, don’t fret. 
The event will be live-streamed at the venue, so you can always enjoy the performance at home. (Each event 500 yen per stream.)

For further details and updates on the events & live streams, visit our Peatix profile https://root-k.peatix.com/.

Feb 19 (Sat)　5 to 7 PM　Carl Stone, Tatsuya Yoshida, Gil Kuno, (VJ) Atsushi Kobayashi, (Opening Act) Yousuke Fuyama

Feb 26 (Sat)　5 to 7 PM　Naohiro Ukawa, Gil Kuno, (VJ) Atsushi Kobayashi, (Opening Act) Toru Izumida

Mar 5 (Sat)  　5 to 7 PM　Fuyuki Yamakawa, Ken Ishii (non-dance DJ set), Gil Kuno, (VJ) Atsushi Kobayashi, (Opening Act) Sho Tokura

Mar 19 (Sat)　5 to 7 PM　YoshimiO (via the internet), Gil Kuno, (VJ) Atsushi Kobayashi, (Opening Act) Kiyo Igarashi 

Admission: 1500yen *Tickets to be bought in advance.

Venue: Space √K （√K Contemporary B1F）

＊For details on reservations and more, see the bottom of the page or visit: https://root-k.peatix.com/

【Gallery Talks】＊Japanese only

How would you define media art?
What is alternative art?
And what drives such a multifaceted artist like Gil Kuno to create?

These are the topics Kuno and curators and major figures in the art world will discuss in this series of events.

＊For details on reservations and more, see the bottom of the page or visit: https://root-k.peatix.com/

【Gil Lab Workshop】

The Gil Lab Workshop consists of interactive sessions with Kuno and other invited guests on topics such as NFT and sound art. Further details are to be announced on the exhibition website or √K Contemporary’s social media profiles.

Mar 12 (Sat)　3 to 4 PM　NFT Workshop with Saeko Ehara (3D artist / VJ) x Gil Kuno

Admission:　500 yen *Tickets to be bought in advance.

Venue: Space √K （√K Contemporary B1F）

＊For details on reservations and more, see the bottom of the page or visit: https://root-k.peatix.com/